Page 874 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 2 May 2007
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(g) the public sector shall be administered to minimise the possibility of unlawful discrimination.
In dealing with matters where risks need to be balanced against costs and benefits, it is sometimes a challenge for governments to determine what may amount to “best management practice” as required by section 7. In the Auditor-General’s report the nature of this balancing exercise was noted at page 2 of the report:
Corporate credit cards provide agencies significant advantages if used properly, particularly resulting in the prompt payment of suppliers, less paperwork, administrative cost savings, improved cash management and greater convenience for purchasing officers. Generally, corporate credit cards can be used to make the purchasing process quicker, more convenient and less expensive.
Although corporate credit cards offer purchasing advantages, they also entail the risk of improper or unauthorised expenditure. Credit cards are a high-risk medium for procurement, and therefore deserving of additional scrutiny to ensure not only that appropriate controls are in place, but also that these controls are effective in preventing inappropriate and/or fraudulent use.
Just as an aside, Mr Smyth, in relation to the matter of alcohol purchased on credit cards that we were discussing earlier, and the review of those purchases, has made it abundantly clear to all of us in this place that his preference is to drink scotch and not wine. I am just wondering whether Mr Smyth is putting in a bid for scotch to be purchased for his express purpose at functions that he might attend, because he seems to be at pains to inform us about this. From his performance earlier I think he probably needs one at the moment, or he should go and take a Bex and have a good lie down.
Members interjecting—
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Mr Smyth might take that as a slight on his character, you know—whisky versus wine.
MS PORTER: No, I was just asking whether he wanted us to take note of his requirements, because they are specific requirements.
The Auditor-General’s report found that most agencies have adequate policies and guidelines and a satisfactory control framework in place to manage and account for credit card and hospitality expenditure. The government is currently examining the Auditor-General’s recommendation and will be making a government submission to the Public Accounts Committee on the government’s intended action. The Auditor-General’s report provides government with an opportunity to develop even better management practices in this area consistent with the values and principles of the Public Sector Management Act.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (5.21): This is an important motion today that Mr Stefaniak has brought forward because it goes to the heart of what we do. We should go back and have a little look at what Mr Stefaniak’s motion says. It notes the document, A code of good government, produced by the ACT Labor Party in 2001,
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